Improvement in feed-cutters



2 SheetsSheet 1.

W. H.-AI-IRENS. Peed-Cutter.

Patented June 25,1878.-

nvenior N, PETERS, PHOTO-UTHOGRAP 2 she'ets sheet 2.

W; Q AH'RB NS. F6 6 (1-Cutt6r. ,229 V Patehte'd lune 255-1878.

N. PETERS, FHOTO-UTHOGRAPMER. WASHINGTON. D. c

WILLIAM AHRENS; OF

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Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 205,229, dated June 25, 1878; application filed February 5, 1878.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. AHRENS, of the town and county of San Luis Obispo, and State of California, have invented an Improved Feed-Gutter; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to certain novel improvements in the construction of feed-cutters, which will be more fully described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure l is a view of my feed-cutter. Fig. 2 is a side elevation. Fig. 3 is a front view. Fig. 4 is a section, showing the adjusting of the upper feed-roller.

A is the box, into which the hay, straw, or other substance to be cut is placed. The feeding device consists of two corrugated rollers, B B, between which the substance to be out passes, and it is by them forced forward between the stationary cutter jaws G O. The knife D is double-edged, and extends across the front of the stationary blades 0, being connected at each end with crank-arms E. These crank-arms are mounted upon short shafts F F, one upon either side of the machine, so that as they are caused to rotate or oscillate in their bearings they will move the knife D by means of the crank-arms with a drawing or shearing cut across both of the stationary knives or jaws 0, thus cutting. both up and down with each movement of the knife.

Various means may be adopted to operate the knife; but I have shown a treadle, K, which is connected with the crank-arm L. This arm is secured to the same shaft with the operating-arm E of the knife, and is actuated by the treadle or it may be operated by hand. A connecting-rod, G, reaches from the end of one of the crank-arms E to a crank, H, upon a horizontal shaft, I. This shaft is provided with a balance-wheel, J ,so as to keep up the momentum of the knife.

The feed-rollers B B are operated by means of pinions M upon the ends of their shafts, which engage with similar pinions M upon a vertical shaft, N. This shaft has a ratchetwheel, 0, upon it, which is operated by a pawl, P, and lever-arms Q. These lever-arms are pivoted to the frame of the machine at one end, and are united by a vertical bar, B.

A wheel, S, is mounted upon the shaft I, and has pins T projecting from its face, so as to strike the bar R, and thus move the levers, pawl, and ratchet one, two, or more times, as

may be desired, at each revolution of the shaft I.

In the present case, as the knife makes an up and a downout at each rotation of the shaft, I have employed two pins, so that the feed-rollers are caused to rotate for each upand-down out.

It is a rod, connected with the pawl-levers, so as to draw them back after each impulse.

In order to adjust the upper feed-rollers to the varying thickness of the material as it is fed, the roller B has its journals mounted in two vertical sliding standards, U, which extend below the feed-box A, and. may there be united, so that the spring V will act to draw these standards, and with them the roller, down.

Any unusual mass of material will overcome the tension of the spring and raise the roller. In order to allow the bevel-pinion M to follow this adjustment of the roller and the pinion M, it is mounted upon a sleeve, W, having flanges,.or slotted to receive the end of the roller-shaft. This sleeve slides upon the vertical shaft N, with which, however, it revolves either by means of a feather or other wellknown device, and as the feed-roller moves up and down it also moves this pinion, so that it continues to mesh with the roller-pinion.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. The double-edged knife D, with its operating-arms E, mounted upon the shafts F, in combination with the arm L and treadle, substantially as and for the purpose herein described.

2. The knife D, with its operatingarms and treadle, in combination with the crank H, shaft I, and balance-wheel J to retain the momentum, substantially as herein described.

3. The feed -rollers B B, with their bevelgears M M, and vertical shaft N, provided with the ratchet O and pawl P, in combination with the levers Q and operating-pins upon the wheel S, substantially as and forthe pur- In witness whereof I have hereunto set my pose herein described; hand and seal.

4. In combination with the adjustable feedroller B, with its standards and spring, the NVILLIAM HENRY AHRENS. [L. 8.] pinion M, with its sleeve slotted to receive the end of the roller-shaft and sliding upon Witnesses: the vertical shaft N, so as to be adjusted to R. POLLARD, the motion of the feed-roller, substantiallyas S. M. TURNER, herein described. i e 

